There are few cars that represent the spirit of the 1960s and 70s more than the quintessential VW Microbus. Originally given the very German designation of “Type 2” (the Beetle was Type 1) by VW, the Microbus has long had its place in in the world of cars to be remembered. So when VW originally announced well over two decades ago that they were going to release a modern version for the modern era of 2001, people were very excited.
After a few more false starts and delays, the new Type 2—with the updated and slightly more creative name of ID Buzz—has now finally been released in Europe, to even more excitement. By August of 2022 2/3 of the number slated to be produced were already claimed, and this was before people could even test drive it. And though this 2020s take on the classic won’t be available in the U.S. until (probably) 2024, Motortrend was lucky enough to get their hands on one of the European versions. Let’s take a look.
The All-Electric ID Buzz Takes Another Page From History
Lets start with the engine. Back in the day, the original Microbus was a VW Beetle in a van’s clothing. And the new one takes a page out of the original’s book in more than just stylish good looks. The ID Buzz is basically a Volkswagen ID.4 in a van’s clothing, with pretty much the same “platform, motor and battery pack” from the ID.4. Instead of the Beetle’s air-cooled flat 4, the ID Buzz has a 77 kWh battery pack that produces 204 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 time of 10 seconds.
But this is the European version. The American version is slated to be both bigger and slightly more powerful. It is planned to be about a foot longer so it can accommodate a third row—and therefore even more passengers than the Euro 5-seater version. The more powerful engine is slated to come in at 295 hp with 339 lb-ft of torque, which will be a boon for the slightly larger U.S. vehicle’s size and weight.
An EV with Iconic Roots and a Retro-Style Paint Job
The most important thing when it comes to a modern re-imagining of a VW Microbus is, of course, how it looks. And from the first glance the ID Buzz is a clear callback to the classic version. With two-tone paint jobs available with white and either blue, orange, green or yellow, it’s hard not to compare it to the original. The two-toned color scheme even extends to the ID Buzz’s interior, with recycled plastic, USB-C ports, and the inevitable infotainment screen. It has the giant VW badge on the front and back, a wheel at each corner, and vents on the D pillar. It is a modern version of the Microbus that has been shaped around modern safety standards, and looks good while doing it.
An Electric Minivan That Also Has Some Heart and Soul
Let’s face it, minivans aren’t exactly known for their cool factor. But an ID Buzz has that little something extra that takes a boring old minivan and jazzes it up. With a backseat in the European version that already comfortably seats someone who is six feet tall, it will be interesting to see what the larger American version looks like. If you are hauling around a small army, why not do it with some style? Too bad we’ll have to wait until 2024 to see all of the details of what Volkswagen has come up with the ID Buzz for the U.S. markets.
For more info and a bunch of pictures of the European version, pop on over to Motortrend and see what you think.
